Effective communication is one of the keys to success in a remote work environment for management and direct subordinates. Adopting a remote desktop that relies heavily on asynchronous communication to manage team members can be difficult and time-consuming. Managers may struggle to keep up without the daily face-to-face engagement they’re used to, depending on the organization’s history and how long a teleworking model has been in place.
Personnel should use these six productive communication strategies to ensure they get the information they need to perform well and complete projects on time.
Ask your manager what he wants
Employers new to telecommuting might not know how frequently they want their employees to interact. Some management teams may not have considered the comparable levels of communication in a remote environment, especially if they come from years of working in a work environment and are used to reviewing their reports face-to-face regularly. As a result, they may doubt team members and how incredibly hard they work because they are no longer in sight. The simplest thing an employee can do if they don’t feel they’re getting enough feedback is to ask management directly how often to report progress and what mode of communication they prefer, whether it’s Slack, email, or something else.
Provide daily check-ins
Take time each morning to send your boss a list of three to five of your highest priorities for the following day and any issues you need answers to within the next two working days. Provide another brief update in the same manner at the end of the day, giving a high-level review of the day’s work and a reminder of any information or input needed to keep your newest project going ahead.
Don’t be nervous about requesting a video call
If you discover that your managers are experiencing problems responding to your daily check-in, request a video conference with them and agree to keep it restricted to a specific duration of time. While video meetings have a reputation for exhausting remote team members, when management primarily delivers face-to-face constructive feedback, they may be quicker to join a video chat rather than respond to queries in writing. If the practice is thriving, schedule a time to video chat regularly through brief micro-meetings.
Share projects as digital document files
Going back to paper for project management may seem paradoxical. While management still has to learn the ins and outs of remote working systems, including new software and feedback techniques, having all project details in a readily accessible document will assist in speeding the communication process. Still, if your boss is used to getting print updates in face-to-face conversations, you should try providing a digital copy with them so that you keep a running track of their queries. You can give a response and a summary of where you are in the project’s completion process.
Be honest about communication-related frustrations
Most managers will listen carefully when confronted about unsatisfactory feedback or if employees believe they are not receiving enough information about their day-to-day activities or projects. Express real worry to your management and be prepared to explore a possible solution that will fulfill your needs. Even if the end outcome is not what you had in mind, they will be glad that someone took the initiative and came prepared with a solution to the problem.
Final Thoughts
Managers will develop and adapt as telecommuting becomes a vital and often long-term part of people’s lives and professions. However, getting acclimated to the different web-based tools available for collaborating and handling business Projects can take time. Old habits and communication and management approaches are challenging to break. Employees that are proactive in their communication can help make a smooth transition go more smoothly and avoid unanticipated difficulties that might arise from a lack of contact with management.
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